Water - at last!

By Sonja van der Vyver - Development Practitioner

For the last 4 years, the people of Masakhane have had no permanent water in the settlement. They received water from a municipal water truck once or twice a week. The delivery of water was dependent on the state of the access road to Masakhane. During periods of rainy weather the water truck could not get to the settlement because the access road was in such a poor state. This meant that the women often had to draw water from a nearby stream. Children often got sick from hygiene-related illnesses such as diahroea because of the quality of this water.

Because the water truck only delivered very sporadically the people of Masakhane stored their water in plastic scoops. In summer especially, this practice contributed to the occurence of hygiene-related illnesses, especially in children. Because of poor nutrition the children of Masakhane do not have strong immunity against disease and the fact that the community is so isolated contributes to sick children not receiving medical attention in time.

Water is such a basic need that the lack of it significantly contributes to a number of problems such as the ones listed above. Often children were reported not to have been taken to the monthly mobile clinic because mothers were too ashamed to bring their 'dirty' children to be seen by the clinic sister. Lots of time was spent fetching water from the stream near the settlement and carrying it back which meant that the women in the settlement had no time to pursue any income generating activities.

As one of their main CSI focuses SAB has benefited this community significantly through the provision of water. After investigating several options, a windmill was decided upon as a means of providing water to this community. It is cost effective, does not rely on expensive sources of energy and is easy to maintain. A Climax windmill was installed and two water tanks was put up on the hill above the settlement. The two tanks allow for water to be stored on windy days so that the community will be able to get water even on days when the wind doesn't blow. For the moment the community will be able to access water by drawing water from a tap at the water tanks.

Some 7 years ago pipes were put in to supply water at a tap for each one of 55 stands. After carefull assessment of available resouces it has been decided that those pipes can be reconnected so that those 55 stands will then have water. Through community cooperation it will be possible for all 112 households to have access to water near their households.

With water available to them, the people of this community will be able to consider new and productive options such as food gardening, brick making etc. Teaching the community Permaculture principles for growing food could go a long way to alleviate food scarcity and malnutrition for this community. Better nutrition will improve the immunity of everyone and could be especially beneficial to those affected by HIV and Aids. With less time to have to spend carrying water the women of this community will be able to engage in more productive activities which could alleviate poverty and increase the self esteem and levels of empowerment.

Education is the great leveler of people and with water available to them all the time, this community can receive life skills and other training which will enable them to improve their standards of living.